For the theatregoer who would not be able to handle Peter Hall's mammoth 10-hour staging of Tantalus comes the opposite end of the stageplay spectrum. Playing at the Ontological Theatre at St. Mark's in downtown Manhattan, May 24-June 3, is "The 7 Minute Series."

The lineup of the two-week festival includes seven pieces which are all under seven minutes each. This year will be the series' eighth annual run of the short-attention span salute. All seven shows will run every night.

Here is the run-down of the shows:

•Crash Course by Jillian McDonald featuring Alex Smith, follows a flight attendant as she reviews her emergency procedures and a passenger afraid of flying.

•What's that on my head? by Ryan Bronz is a tribute to the "sport of art" in which an artist strives to attain beauty and purity. •The JonBenet Play, written and directed by Evan Cabnet, as the release states "Based on a true... You've probably heard of it."

•Saturday Night, by Jonathan Jacobs, reminisces about youth, television and the sad short stay of the "Solid Gold" dancer.

•The Exit Papers, written and directed by Brian PJ Cronin, is billed as a "metaphysical mystery" that deals with alienation and distance.

•Centaur Feat, by Beth Kurkjian, is a dance theatre piece that walks the borders on the edge of myth and the everyday reality.

To make your reservations to "The 7 Minute Series," at the Ontological, 131 East 10th St. (at Second Ave.), call (212) 533-4650.

— by Ernio Hernandez